Steamboat pilot, gold prospector, journalist, printer, author, lecturer... these are but a few ways to describe Mark Twain. He gave us Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Becky Thatcher, a prince, a pauper, even "a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court." He brought life to fictional characters through his writing and gave lively lectures on stage. Although a gravestone claims he died in 1910, Mark Twain (aka Sam Clemens) is alive and well, and traveling to Gowanda.

     On Saturday, Dec. 6, Mark Twain will appear at St. Joseph R.C. Church in Gowanda at 7 p.m. Mike Randall, who portrays one of America's most celebrated writers, will take to the stage, bringing Mark Twain to life.

     This one-man show bursts forth with all the wit and wisdom that was the trademark of the "Great Man Himself." From the moment Randall walks on stage, there is no doubt that the "Celebrated Humorist" Mark Twain was and continues to be, one of America's greatest natural resources!

     Samuel L. Clemens hit the stage with his first lecture even before his pen name "Mark Twain" had become a household word. Eventually he grew into one of the funniest and most sought-after speakers of his day. Several lecture tours and hundreds of speaking engagements helped the humorist refine his storytelling skills to a fine art. Mark Twain in person was a rare treat indeed!

     Randall began impersonating America's Greatest Author at the age of 17! Two years later he was performing professionally as Mark Twain at the "Buffalo Showboat." At 20, he performed for the State Department in Washington, D.C. in the same theatre John F. Kennedy used to give his State of the Union addresses. One year later, Randall brought his rendition of the "Great Man Himself" to New York City's "Little Hippodrome."

     In more than 30 years of "being Mark Twain," Randall has given over 2,000 performances. To transform himself into the 70-year-old Mark Twain, Randall spends several hours at the make-up table. When "Twain" walks on stage, the audience is in for a rare treat - up to two hours of folksy, wise-cracking wit and wisdom from Mark Twain's own words. Randall as Mark Twain points his irreverent finger of humor at everything from politics to religion, making it clear why some have called Twain "America's Original Stand-up Comic."

     "Mark Twain Live!" is available to schools, churches, theatres, historical groups and as corporate entertainment on the Web at www.MarkTwainLive.com.

     Tickets for the show with Mike Randall as "Mark Twain Live" are $8 for adults and $6 for ages 5 to 18. They are available at Gowanda PennySaver/News, JCPenney Catalog Store, Gowanda Free Library and St. Joseph School.

     This event is made possible by the Gowanda Free Library, St. Joseph School and a grant from the Cattaraugus County Arts Council.

     For more information call 532-3451.